Joggers Are People Too

There’s a stereotype that Canadians are the nicest people in the world. While it is true that we tend to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ for everything and apologise so much that the word ‘sorry’ is now basically void of meaning, since having taken up jogging a couple weeks ago I am no longer confident that the stereotype still applies. Either Canadians have become less kind-hearted or they just really really hate joggers.

Toronto is well-known for having many parks and jogging/cycling trails throughout the city, and on my many jogs in the past few weeks I have seen dozens of people utilising these paths as well as running through residential areas. For the most part – in my experience at least – outdoor joggers are a peaceful sort, looking only to improve their health and vitality and enjoy the blooming spring that has finally arrived. We aren’t looking for a fight, and we will always yield the right of way to you and your stroller or puppy as the unwritten rules of the road dictate.

However, while running I have been treated to more than one disdainful glance, several full-on glares, and even one pair of angrily crossed arms combined with an angry scowl. While most people are content to arrange their features into cloudy looks of dismay as a runner approaches – which I can only assume is due to the fear of being literally run over – some people will aggressively lunge into your way in an attempt to trip you up, and people walking in pairs or trios will actively refuse to share the pavement. (For any sidewalk trolls out there, I’m just going to point out that I have never seen anyone trampled by a herd of runners, but I imagine these last two behaviours are a good way to make that happen.)

If people knew how to share, this never would have happened...

 Now as an asthmatic who wheezes like I just swam the English Channel when I climb a set of stairs, I know for a fact that anyone I approach while running will hear me coming. I house no illusions about being an attractive runner. When I jog my breathing sounds like Tony Soprano when he’s all worked up just before he whacks someone, so I know that you know I am behind you. Yet for some reason you refuse to share the sidewalk – the extra-wide North American style sidewalk, I might add – and I am left to fend for myself in the cycling lane or oncoming traffic.

Being treated with such ignorance time after time leads me to ask: when did we forget how to share? As Canadians we are constantly beaming with pride about being a peaceful, accommodating nation, so shouldn’t we be trying to live up to this reputation in our daily lives? Though I imagine this conundrum has something to do with the fact that we are primarily a vehicular traveling society – and I’m sure our reputation as ‘nice’ people would be completely turned on its head if the world knew about our road rage – it upsets me that because of this we seem to have forgotten common courtesy as pedestrians.

No one ever wants to be the cause of another person getting injured, especially a jogger who is minding her or his own business and attempting to enjoy some private fitness time. The sidewalk is big enough for everyone, and if people don’t start being more considerate I will not hesitate to immediately stop my run and lecture them Care Bears-style on the fact that ‘sharing is caring’.

When I go for a run, I’m not out to ruin your night. I’m happy to share the pavement, and if you could extend the same courtesy so I can enjoy myself rather than being constantly concerned for my safety, everyone would be better off. Joggers are people too, and I hope everyone will start to remember that as summer gets under way and the paths become more congested. Let’s start taking our reputation as ‘nice’ people a bit more seriously by letting our actions reflect that we actually mean those stock phrases we’re always.

CURRENTLY READING: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.